Tape needle



E. O. GATLIN Dec. 1, 1931.

TAPE NEEDLE Filed May 9, 1929 .w a 4 0 a n M Patented Dec. 1, 1931 EDNA O. GATLIN, OF SMITH CENTER, KANSAS TAPE NEEDLE Application filed May 9, 1929. Serial No. 361,702.

This invention relates to sewing implements and more particularly to a needle by means of which a tape or ribbon may be easily threaded through a hem or the like provided to receive the tape.

One object of the invention is to provide a needle of this character which may be very easily engaged with one end of a tape or ribbon and prevented from slipping out of engagement therewith while threading the tape or ribbon through a hem.

Another object of the invention is to provide a needle having arms terminating in hooks or prongs to be engaged through the tape or ribbon and also to provide the needle with a shield slidable longitudinally of the arms thereof so that it may be moved into position to overlie the pointed ends of the prongs and not only prevent the prongs from slipping out of engagement with the tape or ribbon but also prevent these prongs from catching in the hemmed material through which the ribbon or tape is being passed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a needle of the character set forth which will be very simple in construction and cheap to produce.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View of the improved needle, n Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the needle engaged with a tape or ribbon and the shield in section, and

Fig. 3 is a view showing the needle and tape in side elevation and the shield in section.

The improved needle consists of a strand of resilient wire bent intermediate its length to provide side arms 1 joined at their forward ends by a bridge 2 of an arcuate form, ther by providing the needle with a blunt forward end in order to prevent it from catching.

when passed through a hem. The free end portions of the side arms l'are bent back upon themselves to form hooks or prongs 3 which terminate in sharpened ends so that they may be easily passed through a tape or ribbon 4 near one end thereof, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. By this arrangement the needle may be very easily engaged with the tape or ribbon and also easily released therefrom after it has been threaded through a hem. In order to prevent the prongs from accidentally slipping out of engagement 35 with the tape or ribbon, there has been provided a shield 5 consisting of a strip of metal bent toform a flat loop through which the arms pass so that the shield will be slidably mounted upon the needle and permitted to be moved longitudinally thereof toward and away from its rear end. The prongs extend forwardly in converging relation to the arms of the needle, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, and, therefore, when the shield is slid rearwardly, the prongs will easily pass into its rear end but rearward movement of the shield will be limited by wedging action and this will prevent the shield from moving rearwardly beyond the position shown in Fig. 3. By this arrangement the shield will be firmly held in a set position when moved rearwardly and it will serve as a guard to prevent the prongs from accidentally slipping out of the tape or ribbon and also serve to cover the sharp free ends of the prongs and prevent them from catching in goods while the needle is being used to lead a tape or ribbon through a hem formed in the goods.

I have, therefore, provided a needle which is very simple in its construction and may be very easily engaged with or disconnected from a tape or ribbon to bethreaded through a hem but will not be liable to accidentally slip out of engagement with the tape while leading the tape through a hem.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A needle comprising spaced arms joined at their forward ends, the rear ends of said arms 90 

